South Africa at a crossroads

Opinion: June 3, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

Los Angeles Times: Sixteen years after the end of apartheid, South Africa is at a crossroads.

The country that was ushered into black majority rule by African National Congress leader Nelson Mandela has held four free and fair national elections since 1994, conducted a pioneering truth-and-reconciliation process, established a respectable multiracial judiciary and maintained a robust free press. The competence and integrity of successive ANC governments have been called into question, but not their fundamental legitimacy.

And yet the country’s economic, racial and social problems are grave enough to pose a challenge to its young democratic system, causing many South Africans to wonder whether their nation will fulfill its promise as the continent’s powerhouse. These tensions were reflected in the recent outbursts of the ANC’s youth leader, Julius Malema, who stoked racial tension and party divisions as the country prepared to host the World Cup this month, an event meant to showcase its achievements, not its shortcomings.

Recession

South Africa bet that the World Cup would bring investment and tourist dollars, but the recession is cutting into those expectations. The $3 billion the government has invested in the World Cup has created short-term jobs and some useful infrastructure, and also built sports facilities that don’t do much for the economy in the long run. Still, playing host to the world’s most popular monthlong sporting event offers South Africa a chance to shine before the eyes of the world. If South Africa delivers a well-organized World Cup, it is an opportunity to unite in national pride.